Charity house donation to boost Peter's Project tally

A CHARITY house in north Warrnambool is likely to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Peter’s Project following its construction launch yesterday.

More than 100 volunteers including builders, plumbers, electricians, tradespeople, store owners and other business figures will freely give their time and money towards building the house on Wangoom Road.

Builders Bryan and Petersen and its subcontractors will take a lead role in the construction of the swish new family home, to be built on land donated by Warrnambool’s Catholic parish. All proceeds from its sale will be allocated towards the Peter’s Project $5 million fund-raising target.

Premier Denis Napthine met with dozens of volunteers yesterday and said the initiative was a key example of the south-west’s community spirit.

“This is a wonderful example of a range of people from across the south-west uniting behind the Peter’s Project cause,” he said.

The concept was first raised last year with Bryan and Petersen’s Warrnambool manager Andrew Austen consulting with the Peter’s Project committee.

A range of south-west businesses were approached to make a contribution with the majority agreeing to pitch in.

“We hope to raise roughly $300,000 for Peter’s Project, depending on what happens at the auction, but this is a house that has real market appeal,” Mr Austen said.

“The response to the charity house idea has been fantastic.

‘‘Everyone’s donating their labour, local businesses have donated a vast quantity of equipment and materials that we’ll use to build the home.’’

Planners expect the site will be ready for auction in November and interested buyers will be encouraged to inspect the house once it’s completed.

Father John Fitzgerald, of St Joseph’s Catholic Parish, said the church’s land donation was in response to the tireless efforts of the Peter’s Project committee.

The land forms part of the Toohey Estate, which was owned by the Catholic Church for more than three decades, before being opened up for development in the late 2000s.

“We felt that Peter’s Project was worthy of the donation given how its goal of a cancer centre will contribute to the well-being of so many people in the district,” Father Fitzgerald said yesterday.

“When you take into account the dozens and dozens of people that are freely giving up their time, it was well worth it.”

Peter’s Project founder Vicki Jellie said the charity home auction will be a major community event and applauded the efforts of volunteers.

“You just have to look at how many people turned out today and the many more that have got behind the charity home idea,” she said.